Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Haggai Malachi
Zechariah 4
Concise Complete
A vision of a candlestick, with two olive trees. (1-7)
Further encouragement. (8-10) An explanation respecting the olive trees. (11-14)
Verses 1-7 The
prophet's spirit was willing to attend, but the flesh was weak. We should beg of
God that, whenever he speaks to us, he would awaken us, and we should then stir
up ourselves. The church is a golden candlestick, or lamp-bearer, set up for
enlightening this dark world, and holding forth the light of Divine revelation.
Two olive trees were seen, one on each side the candlestick, from which oil
flowed into the bowl without ceasing. God brings to pass his gracious purposes
concerning his church, without any art or labour of man; sometimes he makes use
of his instruments, yet he needs them not. This represented the abundance of
Divine grace, for the enlightening and making holy the ministers and members of
the church, and which cannot be procured or prevented by any human power. The
vision assures us that the good work of building the temple, should be brought
to a happy end. The difficulty is represented as a great mountain. But all
difficulties shall vanish, and all the objections be got over. Faith will remove
mountains, and make them plains. Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains of
difficulty were in the way of his undertaking, but nothing is too hard for him.
What comes from the grace of God, may, in faith, be committed to the grace of
God, for he will not forsake the work of his own hands.
Verses 8-10 The
exact fulfilment of Scripture prophecies is a convincing proof of their Divine
original. Though the instruments be weak and unlikely, yet God often chooses
such, to bring about great things by them. Let not the dawning light be
despised; it will shine more and more to the perfect day. Those who despaired of
finishing the work, shall rejoice when they see Zerubbabel giving directions
what to do, and taking care that the work be done. It is a comfort to us that
the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in
particular conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their
hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant regard to Divine
Providence, act in dependence on its guidance and submission to its disposals.
Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view Him carrying on his work according to
his own glorious plan, and daily bringing his spiritual building nearer to
completion.
Verses 11-14
Zechariah desires to know what are the two olive trees. Zerubbabel and Joshua,
this prince and this priest, were endued with the gifts and graces of God's
Spirit. They lived at the same time, and both were instruments in the work and
service of God. Christ's offices of King and Priest were shadowed forth by them.
From the union of these two offices in his person, both God and man, the
fullness of grace is received and imparted. They built the temple, the church of
God. So does Christ spiritually. Christ is not only the Messiah, the Anointed
One himself, but he is the Good Olive to his church; and from his fulness we
receive. And the Holy Spirit is the unction or anointing which we have received.
From Christ the Olive Tree, by the Spirit the Olive Branch, all the golden oil
of grace flows to believers, which keeps their lamps burning. Let us seek,
through the intercession and bounty of the Saviour, supplies from that fulness
which has hitherto sufficed for all his saints, according to their trials and
employments. Let us wait on him in his ordinances, desiring to be sanctified
wholly in body, soul, and spirit.
Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Haggai Malachi
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
